Western appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1885-18??, 1887-09-17

4'oAC 4uuIoudy Is llc twenty -SeCOuO
day of September; on that day, just a
quarter of a century ago, our martyred
president, Abraham Lincoln, issued his
first Emancipation Proclamation which
was the avant coureur of the liberation
of 100000 of human beings who were
held in the worst state of bondage the
world has ever known, in land that
boasts of being the refuge of the down
trodden Of all nations of the earth. Mr..
Lincoln, by this act-although only a
war measure-endeared himself to the
hearts of these millions of human be-
ings as no man ever did before. and. as
none have done since. What wonder
full changes have taken place since that
time! Then, the mark of Cain, as it
were, was upon US; our fathers,
our mothers, our sisters, our
brothers held us as mere chattels, and
sold us into worse than Egyptian bond
age, without the least conjunction of
conscience whatever. If we were so
fortunate as to be what was called "free''
our condition was but little better
than that of the slaves, and we did not
dare to visit the slave states, for fear OF
being arrested and sold into slavery.
Then, we had no voice in the selection
of those who should govern the coun-
try or make laws for us. To-day, we
are recognized as citizens of the United
States, and, while we do not receive the
same treatment as other citizens, OF
even aliens do, if they happen to be Of
the Caucasian race, we have many
blessed privileges that our forefathers
never dreamed would be ours To-day
the vote of the black man weighs just
as much in the political scale, at q fail
election, as that Of the president of the
United States, and our votes are al
earnestly solicited as those of Other
men. We do not have exact politica
justice accorded to us, we do not enjoy
civil liberty, we are not allowed to ac
as free moral agents with only our con
sciences to guide u.s.. but, are restricted
by customs and prejudices that max.
life a burden to many; the ordinar!
avocations of life are almost CLOSED
against us, and our abilities are seldom
able to overcome the prejudice agains
our color or condition; but we have
many blessed privileges that have bee,
the natural outcome of the Emancipa
ton Proclamation and it is therefor,
emminently proper that we should cele
brate the anniversary of the day of it
issuance. The management of tn,
Minneapolis exposition have set apar
that day in order that we may celebrat,
it according to our liking in their mag
nifcent building. They have had ,
committee of arrangements formed
from among the leading men in defer
ent parts of the state. they have allowed
that committee the fullest scope ant
the celebration has been thoroughly ad
vertised and more will yet be done
The committee has prepared a program
of exercises for the day with an address
by Hon. John Mercer Langston, lat
United States Minister to Hayti, as tn,
central figure surrounded by local talen
from the Twin Cities. This recognition
by the management of the exposition
is proof of our growing Importance il
this, great Northwest and we sEoul,
endeavor by our liberal attendance t
show our appreciation Of the same. al
petty local jealousies if any exist shoul
be laid aside, the day is a national holi
day among the Colored People Of th
United States and we should celebrat
it in manner in keeping with its grea